How to Run Revit on MAC: a step-by-step guide to use Autodesk Revit on MAC in 2023

Are you a Mac user and you want to run Revit on Mac but you can’t find the best step-by-step guide for this Autodesk software installation? the industry-leading software for Building Information Modeling (BIM)? While Revit is predominantly designed for Windows, fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to use Autodesk Revit on your Mac using a simple and effective solution. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to seamlessly integrate Revit into your Mac workflow.

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Understanding the Compatibility Issue

Autodesk Revit is an impressive software used for Building Information Modeling (BIM). It’s primarily designed for Windows, making Mac users wonder if they can run Revit on their machines. However, in 2023, there’s a solution that allows Mac users to run Revit smoothly on their devices. This breakthrough is a game-changer, as it enables architects, engineers, and designers to access Revit’s powerful BIM features on their Mac systems.

Running Revit on Mac was once a challenge, but now it’s possible. With this solution, Mac users can tap into Revit’s capabilities without the need to switch to a Windows machine. It opens up a world of opportunities for those who prefer to work on their Macs.

By running Revit on Mac, architects, engineers, and designers can seamlessly integrate this powerful software into their workflows. It eliminates the limitations and provides access to Revit’s advanced BIM functionalities directly on their Mac systems.

In 2023, the ability to run Revit on Mac has become a reality. Mac users no longer have to wonder if they can harness the power of Revit without compromising their preferred operating system. With this breakthrough, they can confidently embrace Revit and leverage its features to enhance their architectural designs, engineering projects, and construction processes on their Mac devices.

Introducing Parallels: Your Gateway to Run Revit on Mac:

In the world of architecture, engineering, and design, Autodesk Revit is renowned for its advanced capabilities in Building Information Modeling (BIM). However, Revit’s primary compatibility lies with Windows operating systems, leaving Mac users wondering if they can access Revit’s powerful features without having to switch to a Windows machine. The good news is that there’s a solution: Parallels® Desktop 18 for Mac.

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software that allows Mac users to run Windows on their machines without the need for a reboot. With Parallels, you can install and run over 200,000 Windows applications on your Mac, including Microsoft Office for Windows. It offers a seamless experience, enabling you to effortlessly copy and paste text or drag-and-drop files between your Mac and Windows environments.

For architects, engineers, and designers working on Mac, Parallels Desktop provides a game-changing opportunity to integrate Revit into their workflows. By installing Windows OS on your Intel or Apple M-series Mac computer using Parallels, you can successfully run Revit and other Windows applications. This means you can access Revit’s advanced BIM functionalities directly on your Mac, without compromising your preferred operating system.

Parallels Desktop for Mac is designed to ensure optimal performance, allowing you to develop and test across multiple operating systems in a virtual machine. It runs Windows applications effortlessly, without slowing down your Mac. This seamless integration between Mac and Windows empowers architects, engineers, and designers to fully leverage Revit’s capabilities, enhancing their architectural designs, engineering projects, and construction processes.

With Parallels Desktop, Mac users no longer have to choose between their preferred operating system and utilizing Autodesk Revit. They can enjoy the best of both worlds, seamlessly running Revit on their Mac machines. So, whether you’re an architect visualizing a new building design, an engineer analyzing structural elements, or a designer collaborating on a BIM project, Parallels Desktop is the solution that brings Revit to your Mac, unlocking endless possibilities for your creative endeavors.

Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Parallels To Run Revit on Mac:

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of bringing Revit to your Mac.

Installing Parallels Desktop for Mac:

To get started, ensure that your Mac meets the system requirements for Parallels Desktop. Then, download and activate Parallels, following the straightforward installation process.

• Installing Parallels Desktop: To run Windows applications, including Revit, on your Mac, you need to install Parallels Desktop, a virtualization tool. Here’s how:
  1. Download the Parallels Desktop installer for Mac.
  2. Double-click the .dmg file to mount it in Finder, then double-click Install.
  3. Read and accept the Software License Agreement.
  4. Enter your Mac user password when prompted to complete the installation.

• Activating Parallels Desktop Business Edition: After installing Parallels Desktop, follow these steps to activate the Business Edition:
  1. Double-click the Parallels Desktop icon to launch the program.
  2. If the Installation Assistant appears, skip it for now. You can run it later.
  3. Click on the Parallels Desktop dropdown menu, then select Account & License.
  4. In the Sign-in dialog box, click the Business Edition button at the lower-left corner.
  5. Enter your Parallels Desktop Business Edition license key and click Activate.
  6. If the activation is successful, a confirmation message will appear.

With Parallels Desktop Business Edition installed and activated, you are now ready to install Windows and run Revit on your Mac.

Setting Up a Windows Environment

Once Parallels is installed, you’ll need a Windows license. We’ll guide you through creating a new virtual machine using Parallels, enabling you to seamlessly switch between macOS and Windows.

• Launch Parallels Desktop on your Mac, and it will prompt you to download and install Windows 10 automatically.

• Click on “Install Windows” to initiate the process, and the Windows 10 installation files will start downloading.
• Note: If you choose to skip this step, you can purchase Windows 10 in the Installation Assistant

• Once the download completes, the installation of Windows 10 in a new virtual machine (VM) within Parallels Desktop will begin.
• You’ll receive a notification when the installation is complete.

• The duration of this process depends on your internet connection speed and Mac performance, typically taking around one hour and 40 minutes.
• While Windows 10 is installing, you’ll encounter dialogs regarding the installation of Parallels Toolbox, a bundled product that provides various useful tools.

• It’s recommended to install Parallels Toolbox as it offers over 30 single-purpose tools for common tasks.
• After Windows 10 is installed, it’s crucial to install all available updates, which might take some time but is important for optimal performance.

• At this stage, you have a functional installation of Windows 10 in a Parallels Desktop VM. However, certain features will remain disabled until you purchase and activate Windows from within the VM.
• The process of purchasing and activating Windows is straightforward and typically only takes a few minutes.

By following these steps, you’ll have Windows 10 up and running within a Parallels Desktop VM on your Mac, enabling you to run Revit and unlock its powerful capabilities.

Installing Autodesk Revit on Mac using VM:

With your Windows environment ready, it’s time to install Autodesk Revit. We’ll explore the available Revit versions and their specific system requirements. Follow our instructions to install Revit within the virtual machine via this link

Using virtualization software like Parallels to create a virtual hardware environment for Windows and Revit installation has some limitations :

• Performance may be reduced when running Revit on a virtual machine due to additional overhead in hardware virtualization compared to running directly on the hardware.
• Revit requires an x86/x64 environment, so virtual machines emulating ARM-based hardware won’t be suitable for running Revit.
• M series processors are ARM-based hardware, so a virtual machine must support x86/x64 Windows to install and run Revit.
• Refer to the policy document on Support for virtual installations for further information.

Configuring Revit on Mac for Optimal Performance:

• Optimize your operating system to run Revit on Mac efficiently.
• Verify and adjust the paging file size for optimal system performance.
• The paging file should be at least the recommended size for Windows and no more than twice the installed RAM.
• Placing the page file on a secondary physical drive, if available, can slightly enhance performance.
• To adjust the paging file size:

1. Click on the Windows Start menu and go to Settings > Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel dialog, select System and Security.
3. Click on System.
4. Navigate to Advanced System Settings.
5. In the System Properties dialog, click on the Advanced tab.
6. Under Performance, click on Settings.
7. In the Performance Options dialog, go to the Advanced tab.
8. Under Virtual Memory, click on Change.
9. In the Virtual Memory dialog, adjust the Initial and Max values.
   • For example, set them to 8184 (2 * 4GB) for a 4GB machine.
10. Click on Set.
11. Close the Virtual Memory dialog by clicking OK.
12. Apply the changes.

• Enhance performance further by adjusting visual effects:

1. Click on the Visual Effects tab.
2. Select the Custom option.
3. Disable the following options:
   • Face or slide menus into view
   • Show window contents while dragging
   • Slide open combo boxes
4. Apply the changes.
5. Close each dialog by clicking OK.

By optimizing your operating system and adjusting the paging file size, you can improve the performance of Revit on your Mac. Additionally, tweaking the visual effects settings can further enhance your experience while running Revit.

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

We understand that technical challenges may arise when you try to run Revit on Mac. That’s why we’ve included a section dedicated to troubleshooting common issues when running Revit on Mac.

You’ll find helpful steps and resources to overcome any obstacles you may encounter:

Parallels Support: https://www.parallels.com/support/

Autodesk Revit Support: https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/product/revit

Apple Support: https://support.apple.com/

Conclusion:

With Parallels as your trusted companion, running Autodesk Revit on Mac is within reach. By following our comprehensive guide, you’ll gain access to Revit’s powerful BIM capabilities, revolutionizing your Mac workflow. Embrace the possibilities and unleash your creativity in the world of architectural design and construction with Autodesk Revit on Mac.

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